The Supreme Court has sought a reply from the Centre on a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of the 2017 Finance Act.
The plea, filed by an NGO, said the Act would destroy independent functioning of 19 tribunals, including the National Green Tribunal. The Finance Act, which came into effect from 1st April, led to the framing of the Tribunal, Appellate Tribunal and other Authorities Rules, 2017 and they allegedly gave unbridled powers to the Executive to decide Constitution, qualifications of members, their appointments and removal, among others.
A bench, headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar, asked the Centre to file its reply within two weeks. It, however, refused to stay the operation of the provisions of the Act and the rules.
